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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Muse do not only top my album list of 2015, their new masterpiece Drones also made it to #1 on my friend Philippe Valleix´s top 20 list. Philippe has done an amazing job of contributing with news for Palace of Rock, so let´s share his favorite albums this year.

Spoken - Breathe again (2015) Artery Recordings
Produced by Spoken
ROCK / METALTracks : 1.Intro 2.Walking in my dreams 3.Beyond the stars 4.Surrender 5.Breathe again 6.All I wanted 7.Hollow and untrue 8.Memories are alive again 9.Nothing without you 10.Poison in the air 11.Falling apart 12.Hold on 13.Take my breath away 14.Outrowww.facebook.com/spoken
3,5 out of 5

Coming from the post hardcore neighborhood of the early days, there are no traces left at all in Spoken´s new sound. They already showed this new direction on their previous album "Illusion" but I never thought the songs were this good on that one, Spoken took it up a notch on "Breathe again" because everything´s a bit stronger from the songs to the production as well.
The elements of electronica only makes a perfect addition to this active rock affair, I´m happy to say that their 8th studio album is their best one so far.
I really didn´t expect that because I´m not such a big fan of this band.
Highlights : Hold on, Breathe again, Nothing without you
Recommended if you like Disciple, Thousand Foot Krutch, Decyfer Down

My year ended with a bad tooth on christmas that had to be taken out which resulted in 4 different medicines and a cancelled trip to Gran Canaria but I´m glad there is good music to save the day.
Alternative rockers Trapt will release their new album DNA in spring 2016 and a new single Not So Different Now, out early next year.

Philly rockers The Starting Line has released a new EP Anyways, check out the title track here.

American metallers Flaw with Chris Volz are working on a new album, one of the new tracks is Bleed Red but it doesn´t say on their FB page if it´s the new single.

St.Louis based rock band Fivefold´s new album Open Letter is now available on Spotify.

Aussie based progressive rock band Mass Sky Raid are working on new music to be released in 2016, the Palace has featured their latest single Enemy before but it´s great enough to post again.

The Swedish alternative metal band We Are The Catalyst premiere new holiday song New Year New Hope.

South Carolina hard rockers Osara has released a teaser video of the new single The Devil´s Daughter, taken from their self titled EP out now.

Time for some atmospheric rock with Made In Waves, formerly known as Ghost In The Machine.
MIW´s new video Halo is now available on Youtube.

London based alternative rock band Staring Out The Sun launched a new video YMEE, taken from their debut EP Break The Silence.

2015 was
a big music year but 2016 will be even bigger with new albums from Biffy Clyro,
Thirty Seconds To Mars, Steve Perry, Filter, Cheap Trick, Blue October, Bon
Jovi, Alter Bridge, Deftones, Chevelle, Tool, The Killers, Thrice plus all the exciting albums on the upcoming albums list here at Palace of Rock.

Band / Artist : Violet Days
Country :SWEDEN
Genre : Alternative Pop
Discography : The singles So Dope, Razorheart, Screaming Colors
Label : Independent
Info : Lina Hansson is the upcoming star behind Violet Days, nominated as the rookie/producer of the year at the Denniz Pop awards 2015. Palace of Rock knows there are big things to come for this talented artist, expect some future greatness in 2016.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Metal
factor : Medium. The Swedes promise a classic progressive metal album on their
5th release, this is the first Cloudscape album to have a title
track. First single A new design is out now.

My Dear Addiction - Kill the silence - JAN 8

Metal
factor : High. It´s been 6 years since MDA´s strong debut New blood, this
Swedish band has already announced themselves as Winners on the new single and
fans of modern metal will sleep well at night again.

Witchcraft
- Nucleus - JAN 15

Metal
factor : High. Time to carry out some doom-ish stoner metal from another
Swedish band that is getting bigger for each album, now as a trio on their 5th
album, you can get a first taste of the new song Theory of consequence.

El Caco - 7 - JAN 15

Metal
factor : Medium. In case this Norwegian band slipped through your radar, they are no
newcomers and has released 6 albums so far with the 7th one coming
out in January. A dose of alternative hard rock and heavy metal is on the menu here. First single is Curious.

Forever Still - Tied Down - JAN 15

Metal
factor : Medium. After 3 EP´s, it´s time to unleash the first full length album
from this female fronted Danish band. We´re talking alternative metal in the
same vein as Evanescence and Lacuna Coil.

Megadeth
- Dystopia - JAN 22

Metal
factor : Very high. Dave Mustaine is as metal as ever and when Metallica can´t
seem to release any new music, Megadeth deliver their 15th album as
steady as a Grizzly beer hunting for food.

Drowning
Pool - Hellelujah! - JAN 22

Metal
factor : High. Who said that numetal is dead? This American band refuses to die
and have adapted with time to a more fitting sound rather than becoming
dinosaurs, get ready for their 6th album and do yourself a favor and
check out the new single By the blood below.

Emil
Bulls – XX - JAN 29

Metal
factor : High. These Germans 10th studio album is called XX mainly
because they have been around playing rock for 2 decades and I don´t mind ´em
hanging around for twenty more years. The new single Here comes the fire is as
solid as ever.

Primal Fear - Rulebreaker - JAN 29

Metal
factor : High. Who could be more suitable to carry the flag of German heavy
metal than Mat Sinner and Ralf Scheeper´s metal legion Primal Fear. They are
keeping the tradition alive with the 11th studio album featuring the
singles In metal we trust and The end is near.

Bury Tomorrow
- Earthbound - JAN 29

Metal
factor : High. U.K based metalcore act signed to Nuclear Blast Records, now
delivering the goods on their 4th album featuring a guest appearance
from Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. Get an injection of modern metal with the new
singles Memories and Earthbound.

Eternal of Sweden - Heaven´s gate - JAN 29

Metal
factor : Medium. The 2nd full length album from this Swedish melodic
metal band. Now they have every chance to prove that they´re to be reckoned
with and far more hotter than their lousy bandname.

Avantasia - Ghostlights - JAN 29

Metal
factor : Medium. Tobias Sammet never seem to get tired of hitting the studio to
record yet another metal opera together with plenty of famous guest vocalists,
let´s assume we´re about to be given a new bombastic and symphonic power metal
effort on their 7th album.

Polaris -
The guilt and the grief EP - JAN 29

Metal
factor : High. Those Aussie´s are not only experts in progressive alternative
rock/metal but also a strong force when it comes to metalcore. Parkway Drive,
Northlane, Buried in Verona, In Heart´s Wake and Polaris are just a few fine
examples of their fine quality in music export. Polaris sophomore EP should be a real
treat for anyone into growls and furious riffs.

Rhapsody of Fire - Into the legend - FEB 5

Metal
factor : Medium. These Italians are just like IKEA, a safe buy when we´re
talking classic power metal and you can count on them being around for as long
as you live. But just don´t expect any surprises on their 11th
studio album but their fans don´t want it either.

Last in
Line - Heavy crown - FEB 19

Metal
factor : High. Dio´s backing band reunite with the new singer Andrew Freeman to
keep the legacy alive with the sound of the first three Dio albums Holy diver,
Last in line and Sacred heart.

I bet
Ronnie James Dio would be proud.

Adept -
Sleepless - FEB 19

Metal
factor : Medium. Swedes that blend metalcore with post hardcore, 3 albums on
their former label Panic and Action but now signed to Napalm Records for the
release of their 4th album. Solid nonetheless.

Anthrax -
For all kings - FEB 26

Metal
factor : Very high. The thrash metal legends bring you their 11th
studio album and the first of new music in 5 years, Scott Ian and Joey
Belladonna don´t have anything to prove as they are one of the big four.

From Ashes To New - Day One - FEB 26

Metal
factor : High. The full length debut from an American band that has their home
soundwise in both numetal and rapmetal. Forget about the 2 EP´s available, this
is the one that will put their name on everybody´s lips next year.

Anvil - Anvil is Anvil - FEB 26

Metal factor
: Very high. It´s about time, Lips and Robb Reiner gets the recognition they
deserve after a long career of up´s and down´s but mostly down´s. The album
title of Anvil´s 16th studio album pretty much sums it up, this is
metal on metal all over again.

The
Unguided - Lust and loathing - FEB 26

Metal
factor : High. A Swedish melodic death metal band not many pay attention to
but you should, the band features former members of Sonic Syndicate. Is it
third time lucky for these boys? Will their 3rd record take ´em up
in the same league as Soilwork and In Flames?

Almanac - Tsar - MAR 18

Metal factor : Medium. Victor Smolski of Rage presents his new orchestral metal band featuring
David Readman on vocals (Pink Cream 69), the Palace believes the debut album
most certainly will be something traditional in the footsteps of marching
German metal.

American
Head Charge - Tango umbrella - MAR 25

Metal
factor : High. When we thought the American numetallers were dead and gone,
they come crawling back with the first album in over 11 years, talk about a
cool comeback.

Band / Artist : Sego
Country : USA
Genre : Electro Pop / Alternative Rock
Discography : 2 EP´s available on Noisetrade and the new single Micky Macali
Label : Dine Alone Records
Info : A psychedelic duo from Utah presenting the forthcoming debut Once Was Lost Now Just Hanging Around released in March. Let´s get ready for a crazy ride.

4th
EP from the British band that has toured with Trapt, Halestorm and Black Stone
Cherry, should be an appetizer for fans of modern hard rock. New single Send up
the world is out now.

Lacey
Sturm - Life screams - JAN 29

The
former Flyleaf singer decided to stand on her own feet and releases her first
solo recording, the first single Impossible shows a more poppy direction but
the Palace thinks she hasn´t forgotten her rocking roots.

The Veer
Union - Decade - JAN 29

No matter
what the album title says, it´s not a compilation from the Canadian rockers.
This is a brand new studio album and the follow up Divide the blackened sky
from 2012. New single Defying gravity out now.

Cavo - Bridges - JAN 29

The
St.Louis rockers releases their 4th album independently, 4 new songs are
available on iTunes.

It´s safe
to say that Cavo will deliver the post grunge taste of the day.

Delain -
Lunar prelude EP - FEB 19

The
female fronted Dutch band Delain usually bring the unexpected on their releases
with anything from gothmetal to symphonic metal and even modern rock. Could be
something cool.

Nine
Lashes - Ascend - FEB 19

The
release of this Christian alternative rock band has been pushed back and
postponed several times already so we´re not so sure their 4th album
will drop in Feb, but we hope so. This means quality!

The New
Black - A monster´s life - FEB 26

Time
again for the German rock/metallers to deliver another big album after touring
with bands like Alter Bridge, Volbeat and Black Label Society. The palace
believes it´s going to be heavy.

Tonight
Alive - Limitless - MAR 4

These
Aussie´s are already big down under but their 3rd album could very
well be their breakthrough album in the world, Tonight alive have already been
featured on the Spiderman 2 Soundtrack and their new single To be free and
Drive puts catchiness in a new costume.

3 Doors
Down - Us and the night - MAR 11

The U.S
modern rock veterans return with their 6th studio album and the
first in 5 years, they´ve been on Billboard´s Top 10 before so why not aim for
new mainstream success!

Band / Artist : The Rubens
Country : Australia
Genre : Rock
Discography : The Rubens (2012) plus the new singles Hoops , Hallelujah
Label : Warner Bros Music
Info : A blues / soul / rock band from down under, now signed to Warner Bros for the U.S release of their sophomore record Hoops. First they take Sydney, then they take Manhattan.

Feel like dancing?
Swiss Lips were 5 guys from Manchester, England that only wanted to make good music but was caught in a major label´s web and couldn´t get out.
Formed in 2011, signed to Sony / Epic Records for a 4 album deal but started getting troubles with their label and it wasn´t until in late 2014 when the band finally were able to cut the ties with Sony Music.
The band had recorded material enough for 2 albums and both were released in 2015, the self titled album Swiss Lips and Overflowing futures.
If you´re into 80´s disco with a modern twist, then you should absolutely check out this album.
Unfortunately in August this year, the band announced their breakup so one could say they had a short and bittersweet career with the taste of the rise and fall of stardom.
Highlights : Wilderness, Grow
Recommended if you like Erasure, Dune, Magic Man

Band / Artist : Banners
Country : U.K
Genre : Alternative Pop
Discography : The singles Shine A Light , Start A Riot
Label : Island Records
Info : Born in Liverpool, the artist Banners is influenced everything from The Beatles to Arcade Fire.
With a sound that belongs on a mixtape, get ready for Banners to conquer the airwaves.

Russian Industrial metal band "SPIRALLER" released new single "RAGE"
that was held on the threshold of release of full-length album.

New York based metalcore band Surfacing has released their new album Chaos through clarity on Dec 18, check out the new single Turned to ink here.

Long Beach metallers Vagrant releases Within lyric video from their upcoming album Death be thy name, out early 2016.

Fulcrum Lake is an alternative hard rock band from south central Texas. The band premiere official video of The Poor and The Saint here.

LoadStoneD is a melodic rock band from Colorado, USA. Their new single I can´t lie to you is now available on iTunes and Spotify.

avenuedrive is an American rock band formed in Charlotte North Carolina, in 2012 with members from Colombia, Germany and the
U.S. With the new singer joining the band late 2014, avenuedrive
finished their first full length album "proximity effect" in 2015. A
unique sound full of power and texture mixed with electronica makes them
one of the most promising acts to hit the south east in recent years.Stream More To This from Proximity Effect here

Active rockers Decyfer Down are currently in the process of writing and recording their first independent record, get a first taste with the new single Nothing More here.

Shatterproof is a violin based alternative rock band with pop and punk influences from Fort Collins, Colorado. In early 2012 they released their first
EP "Running in Circles" recorded at Backbone Studios in Loveland CO,
with producer Jason Larson. Shortly after that, they released their first music video for the single "Scissors Just Don't Cut It."Shatterproof recently recorded a new
single at the Blasting Room, followed by an exciting music video for
their song "Cookie Cutter Life" that will be released November 7th 2014,
through Denver Westword. On January 22, the band will release their new EP Paper House. Watch the video of Karma from the upcoming EP.

About Me

My name is Kaj Roth and I´m a music addict from Sweden, I have written more than 6800 reviews at melodic.net and my music blog Palace of Rock. I am the lead singer on two albums with the progressive metal band Human Cometh and also on one EP and the concept album Phantom Cathedral with AOR band Blue Cow Kent . I´m a huge fan of music and love to listen to rock, metal, punk, progressive rock, AOR, fusion etc.My biggest hero is Steve Perry of Journey. But I grew up listening to Kiss, Slade, Nazareth and Stanley Clarke. Some of the bands I never get tired of listening to are The Who, Rush, Van Halen, Sex Pistols, Genesis, The Stranglers, Cheap Trick, Queen and of course Journey.